If you are a high school student from California looking to expand your resume for college applications, consider doing an internship! Internships provide hands-on exposure to your chosen field, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge to practical scenarios. This early exposure to the professional world strengthens your college applications and gives you the skills and confidence needed for future academic and career success. 

Internships in California span multiple subjects and industries, such as STEM, humanities, and medicine! There are hundreds of internship/program opportunities based in California that you can find on the web, and shortlisting the best ones can be time-consuming, especially if you're juggling this with schoolwork. In this blog, we'll explore the 10 best internships for high school students in California.

While most of these internships in California for high school students provide a stipend, some internships provide financial aid for their program fee. Note: The following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. Ladder Internships

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

2. SFUSD Work Based Summer Internships

SFUSD's Work-Based Summer Internships offer a chance to explore computer science and bridge theoretical classroom concepts with practical applications. As an intern, you will work on projects ranging from software development and data analysis to innovative technological solutions. You will benefit from guidance by professionals in the field. Through this internship, you will develop a robust technical skill set and a nuanced understanding of evolving trends in tech.

Location: San Francisco

Dates: Dates vary based on the internship, but the program is typically held in the summer months.

Stipend: Students will be paid a weekly salary.

Eligibility: Open to all high school students (rising 11th grade seniors)

Deadline: April

3. UCSC Science Internship Program

This initiative offers an experience in computer science research and technology. You will have opportunities to work on projects spanning software development, computational modeling, data analysis, and exploration of innovative algorithms. You will be paired with a mentor who will oversee a research project that aligns with your interests and proficiency in computer science. You will attend lab meetings and contribute to your research team's objectives. The program concludes with a symposium, giving you a platform to present your findings. We’ve covered the program in detail here!

Location: University of California Santa Cruz

Dates: June 26 - August 18

Cost: $4,000

Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 years of age on the program start date can apply.

Deadline: March 31st

4. Student Trainee at U.S. Department of Justice

The Department of Justice's Student Trainee (Clerical) Program, hosted by the University of California, Santa Cruz, offers an opportunity for enrolled United States citizens/nationals and current interns within the Department of Justice's local commuting area to engage in clerical support roles at the United States Attorney's Office. You will help with telephone management, operating office equipment, organizing materials, and messenger tasks. This program provides valuable exposure to the inner workings of a federal agency while contributing to critical functions within the United States Attorney's Office.

Location: Sacramento, CA

Dates: TBA

Stipend: $16.73 - $17.07 an hour - Part-time

Eligibility: Students from high school to graduate levels. At Least 16 years of age.

Deadline: TBA

5. Intern High School Technical at Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman's Space Systems Sector High School Intern Program allows aspiring engineers to explore aerospace technology. From electronic and mechanical systems to calibration and testing procedures, you will gain experience under the mentorship of professionals. You will work on impactful projects and interact with users, customers, and developers. Through a combination of practical experience and structured learning opportunities, you will develop the skills and expertise necessary to pursue careers in engineering, physics, mathematics, cybersecurity, computer science, or manufacturing. 

Location: Redondo Beach, CA

Dates: TBA

Stipend: $15 - $17 an hour

Eligibility: Students from high school can apply. At Least 16 years of age.

Deadline: TBA

6. Meta Summer Academy

Meta Summer Academy, initiated by Facebook, offers the chance to gain insight into Meta's operations and culture over six weeks. Students are expected to commit 30 hours per week to the program. Guided by employees in the company, you will explore various facets of Meta, especially the technological and computer science aspects. With a strong emphasis on learning and exposure to the tech sector, the program offers valuable insights. Additionally, Meta provides transportation for all externs, ensuring that high school students from across California can participate. Only 150 students are chosen for the final cohort. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

Location: Menlo Park, CA

Dates: 6 weeks (June through July)

Stipend: Students will receive a stipend!

Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: March 1

7. Stanford’s SHTEM: Summer Internship

The Stanford SHTEM: Summer Internship offers a pathway for students to explore computer science and technological innovation. Throughout the internship, you will engage in interdisciplinary research remotely, with necessary materials provided for hardware projects. Under the guidance of Stanford's faculty and industry experts, you will deepen your understanding of the tech landscape. The program's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration mirrors real-world scenarios within the tech industry. Interns are expected to commit 30-40 hours weekly to the program. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.  

Location: Virtual

Dates: June 17 - August 9

Cost: Free 

Eligibility: Students who will be in grades 11-12 at the time of application

Deadline: Applications typically close in January

8. Department of Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

SEAP presents a chance for students to acquire research experience in science and engineering. You will work on projects spanning cybersecurity, software development, algorithm design, and data analysis. Typically an eight-week summer apprenticeship, SEAP's mentored research project offers valuable insights into scientific research and development. This program is ideal for high school students keen on exploring science applications beyond the classroom, particularly those considering careers in science and technology in areas relevant to national defense. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.

Location: Many lab locations to choose from across the country, with several in California.

Dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.

Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)

Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and are at least 16 years old when the internship begins can apply.

Deadline: November 1

9. The Khan Academy Internship

The Khan Academy internship offers an opportunity to work with a team of engineers dedicated to providing free education worldwide. As an intern, you will be paired with a full-time engineer who will serve as your mentor throughout the summer. You will set goals with your mentor, solve problems, and develop your intern project. Interns work on projects that integrate with the team's broader work and have a real impact on learners around the world. You will spend the majority of your summer dedicated to your project, honing your coding skills, gaining insights into the life of a software engineer, and building valuable professional experience for your future career.

Location: Remote within the United States

Dates: 10-12 week summer internship

Stipend: Competitive pay rate

Eligibility: High school seniors or rising undergraduate juniors can apply.

Deadline: Applications are accepted in October. 

10. Administrative Internship at Stanford Health Care

The Stanford Health Care Healthcare Summer Administrative Internship Program offers high school students an opportunity to gain experience in healthcare administration and operations. You will work on-site alongside peers in various departments, including Housekeeping and Environmental Services, Supply Chain, Sterile Processing, and the Anesthesia Clinic. Through involvement in projects, you will observe and audit existing processes, gather qualitative and quantitative data, and draft project deliverables. The program emphasizes skill development in active listening, resourcefulness, attention to detail, and basic computer proficiency.

Location: Palo Alto, CA 

Dates: Summer  

Stipend: $21-$26 per hour 

Eligibility: Open to all high school students.

Deadline: TBA

One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing research in various topics, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: Ladder Internships logo